Will Johnston: Saying no worth it, to say yes just once

I hate saying no to people. I think that's a normal feeling, no one really likes spending their time projecting negative energy on someone else's ideas and requests. Unless they're really crap and they're arrogant. Then I do get a little satisfaction out of it.

I've had plenty of no's in my life. Like the 'genetic no' of pale white skin and a lack of sporting talent! 'Don't get bitter, get better', is how I deal with the no's from my bosses/clients (that's a quote from 'The 12th Man'; yup I've got quality role models)! Sulking, apologising and chocolate (the giving of) is how I deal with the no's in my relationship. There is one 'no' that never ever sits comfortably with me though... the no to someone who's asked for my help.

We ran a competition locally to give a deserving person/family the chance to have corporate hospitality at Baypark Family Speedway fireworks night, then push the button to set said fireworks off at the end of the night. We had hundreds and hundreds of entries. All but one of which I had to say no to! There were so many in there that deserved to win. It really confirmed to me that we live in such a giving, strong-willed and caring part of the country.

I found myself reading all the entries, getting emotional and questioning why we even run competitions like this?! I'm just letting down a bunch of local people who've poured their best wishes and struggles into an entry form. Surely that would lose me listeners to my show, not gain them?!

Then I remembered that people thrive off a story/moment where someone deserving does actually win; the lady whose name came out of the draw is in her early 40s and going through a battle with the big 'C'. She'd just finished her first of 6 weeks over in Hamilton getting radiation and chemo. She was coming back home for the weekend to see her fiancée and 6 (yes 6) kids she's Mum/step Mum to.

Can you even begin to imagine what is going through that woman's head right now? How must her family feel? I know I'd want a night off from life. So that's what we gave them; fast cars, food, drinks, laughs and lots of fireworks.

It's a weird feeling to have said no to so many people, yet at the same time feeling like your job actually has a purpose and makes a difference sometimes. When it boils down to it, I think the latter is why I do this job. What's the point of having a medium to help people (even just one family at a time) and not using it?

Oh I also do this job for the food-based perks...where do you think I get the chocolate from to keep my relationship on track?!